Who’s making the cut after this weekend’s game against the Cowboys?
With two preseason games down and one to go, it’s crunch time for players on the bubble to make the Las Vegas Raiders’ 53-man roster at the end of training camp. So, let’s take a look at the Raiders’ projected roster after this weekend’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Previously, Silver and Black Pride made predictions on who was and wasn’t making the cut after the Minnesota Vikings matchup. Those projections will be listed below as well. If a player’s status has changed, their name will be listed in bold. Also included will be a ‘(B)’ after specific players to signify that he is on the roster bubble and those players can fall into either the ‘Roster’ or ‘Cut’ categories.
Quarterback
Previously, Roster: Aidan O’Connell, Gardner Minshew, Anthony Brown Jr. (B)
Cut: Carter Bradley (B)
Roster: Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell, Nathan Peterman (B)
Cut: Carter Bradley (B), Anthony Brown Jr. (released)
Las Vegas already let Brown go after signing Peterman last week as the latter worked with Luke Getsy in Chicago. That gives Peterman an advantage to be the emergency quarterback, but Bradley could make things interesting with a strong performance this weekend against the 49ers. The undrafted free agent made a few nice throws against Dallas.
Running Back
Previously, Roster: Zamir White, Alexander Mattison, Ameer Abdullah (B), Dylan Laube
Cut: Brittain Brown, Sincere McCormick (B)
Roster: Zamir White, Alexanders Mattison, Ameer Abdullah (B), Dylan Laube
Cut: Brittain Brown, Sincere McCormick
There are no changes here as the Raiders gave their top four backs quite a bit of playing time and didn’t run the ball much on Saturday. Thus Brown and McCormick each got one carry and six total touches between them, so it seems like everything is staying status quo in the backfield for now.
Wide Receiver
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Previously, Roster: Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, DJ Turner (B), Kristian Wilkerson (B)
Cut: Michael Gallup (retired), Tulu Griffin (B), Jalen Guyton (B), Ramel Keyton (B), Tyreik McAllister, Alex Bachman, Jeff Foreman, Dax Milne (B), Keelan Doss, Terrell Bynum
Roster: Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, DJ Turner (B), Kristian Wilkerson (B)
Cut: Tulu Griffin (B), Jalen Guyton (B), Ramel Keyton, Tyreik McAllister, Alex Bachman, Jeff Foreman, Dax Milne, Keelan Doss (waived), Terrell Bynum
Another position group where no changes have been made to the projections, but Wilkerson could have slid down a peg after letting a ball slip through his hands. Granted, the throw was high but it was still catchable. Guyton would likely be the next man up to replace Wilkerson or earn the final roster spot if the team keeps six wideouts.
Tight End
Previously, Roster: Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer, Harrison Bryant, Cole Fotheringham (B)
Cut: Zach Gentry (B), John Samuel Shenker (B)
Roster: Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer, Harrison Bryant, Cole Fotheringham (B)
Cut: Zach Gentry (B), John Samuel Shenker (B)
With the Raiders playing several starters and players who are expected to make the team deep into the game last weekend, it’s hard to see much movement for the guys on the bubble. However, something to keep an eye on is Shenker continues to take snaps at fullback which could be how he ends up making the team over Fotheringham.
Offensive Line
Previously, Roster: Kolton Miller, Jackson-Powers Johnson, Andre James, Dylan Parham, Thayer Munford Jr., DJ Glaze, Andrus Peat, Cody Whitehair, Jordan Meredith (B)
Cut: Dalton Wagner (B), Ben Brown (B), Jalen McKenzie, Corey Luciano, Will Putnam, Clark Barrington, Andrew Coker
Roster: Kolton Miller, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Andre James, Dylan Parham, Thayer Munford Jr, DJ Glaze, Andrus Peat (B), Cody Whitehair, Jordan Meredith (B)
Cut: Dalton Wagner (B), Ben Brown (B), Will Putnam, Jalen McKenzie, Cory Luciano, Clark Barrington, Andrew Coker
It’s still too early to assume Peat will get cut, especially since the Raiders’ haven’t had a fourth offensive tackle standout in the preseason, but he might be on the hot seat. Glaze has outperformed the veteran and likely will fill the third tackle role on the depth chart. So, Wagner could earn a spot on the roster if he has a strong showing next weekend.
Defensive Line
Previously, Roster: Maxx Crosby, Christian Wilkins, John Jenkins, Malcolm Koonce, Tyree Wilson, Janarius Robinson (B), Adam Butler, Elerson Smith (B), Byron Young (B), Nesta Jade Silvera (B)
Cut: Marquan McCall (B), Matthew Butler (B), Charles Snowden, David Agoha (IPP), Tomari Fox (IR), Ron Stone Jr., TJ Franklin, Noah Shannon
Roster: Maxx Crosby, Christian Wilkins, John Jenkins, Malcolm Koonce, Tyree Wilson, Janarius Robinson (B), Adam Butler, Elerson Smith (B), Nesta Jade Silvera (B), Marquan McCall (B)
Cut: Byron Yong (B), Matthew Butler (B), Charles Snowden, David Agoha (IPP), Ron Stone Jr, TJ Franklin, Noah Shannon
It was another tough week for Young as he continues to struggle in the preseason. Hence the flip between him and McCall as the latter can at least serve as a backup nose tackle. Meanwhile, Smith made a strong case to make the team after having a good game against the run on Saturday.
Linebackers
Previously, Roster: Robert Spillane, Divine Deablo, Tommy Eichenberg, Luke Masterson (B), Kana’i Mauga (B)
Cut: Darien Butler (IR), Amari Burney (B), Amari Gainer (B)
Roster: Robert Spillane, Divine Deablo, Tommy Eichenberg, Luke Masterson (B), Amari Gainer (B)
Cut: Amari Burney (B), Kana’i Mauga (B), Jackson Mitchell
With another strong preseason performance, Gainer bolstered his case to make the roster. In fact, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the final linebacker spot come down to Masterson and Mauga at this stage.
Cornerback
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Previously, Roster: Jack Jones, Nate Hobbs, Jakorian Bennett, Brandon Facyson (B), Decamerion Richardson, M.J. Devonshire (B)
Cut: Sam Webb (B), Woo Governor (B), Cornell Armstrong, Ja’Quan Sheppard, Rayshad Williams
Roster: Jack Jones, Nate Hobbs, Jakorian Bennett, Brandon Facyson, (B), Decamerion Richardson, Woo Governor (B)
Cut: M.J. Devonshire (B), Sam Webb (B), Cornell Armstrong, Ja’Quan Sheppard, Rayshad Williams
It’s been a rough couple of weeks for Devonshire as he’s given up the most receiving yards among the Raiders’ cornerbacks, 104 per Pro Football Focus, and it’s not even close as Richardson has surrendered the second most with 43. Meanwhile, Governor has been playing well and might earn a spot over Devonshire.
Safety
Previously, Roster: Tre’von Moehrig, Marcus Epps, Isaiah Pola-Mao, Chris Smith II (B)
Cut: Trey Taylor (B), Jaydon Grant, Phalen Sanford
Roster: Tre’von Moehrig, Marcus Epps, Isaiah Pola-Mao, Chris Smith II (B)
Cut: Trey Taylor (B), Jaydon Grant, Phalen Sanford
To reiterate from every other roster projection, if Las Vegas opts to keep five safeties, Taylor should be safe. However, Smith played well on Saturday while the rookie didn’t get any action. So, the final preseason game will be very important for Taylor, assuming he plays.